1. Persuasive Essay Objective: To create a persuasive essay

2. Persuasive essay is… An essay which tries to convince a reader to believe what you believe about a certain topic. An essay which tries to convince a reader to believe what you believe about a certain topic.

3. Main Structure Introduction Introduction Includes a thesis statement that states your opinion Includes a thesis statement that states your opinion Body paragraph I Body paragraph I Includes a reason supported by proof Includes a reason supported by proof Body paragraph II Body paragraph II Includes a reason supported by proof Includes a reason supported by proof Conclusion Conclusion Clinches the reader Clinches the reader

4. Introduction Thesis If the thesis is not a clear (wishy-washy) statement of opinion you will have trouble structuring an argument If the thesis is not a clear (wishy-washy) statement of opinion you will have trouble structuring an argument

5. Body Paragraphs In a persuasive essay reasons are the whys that make-up your argument. Example: Thesis statement: Broccoli should be banned from the school cafeteria. Reasons: 1. Nobody likes broccoli 2. Broccoli smells up the cafeteria 3. The school has no right to force students to eat broccoli Each reason will become the topic of a body paragraph. The first sentence of each paragraph should state the reason simply and clearly

6. Appeals to the facts Facts, figures and statistics always look impressive to readers. Facts, figures and statistics always look impressive to readers. Example 72% of all students in this school agree that broccoli smells terrible. Example 72% of all students in this school agree that broccoli smells terrible.

7. Appeals to reason When you don’t have facts at your disposal, you can try to sway your audience with arguments that will make logical sense to them. When you don’t have facts at your disposal, you can try to sway your audience with arguments that will make logical sense to them. Example: Example: Reason; Broccoli smells up the cafeteria. Reason; Broccoli smells up the cafeteria. Detail: If the cafeteria reeks of broccoli, aides will try to get out of lunch duty and older students will stop using the cafeteria completely. This can only hurt the school. Detail: If the cafeteria reeks of broccoli, aides will try to get out of lunch duty and older students will stop using the cafeteria completely. This can only hurt the school.

8. Appeals to emotion This aims straight at people’s desires, fears and prejudices. This aims straight at people’s desires, fears and prejudices. Use only if you do not have facts or the facts are against you Use only if you do not have facts or the facts are against you Detail: It is child abuse to force children against their will to eat and smell disgusting food that they hate. Detail: It is child abuse to force children against their will to eat and smell disgusting food that they hate.

9. Once you have a topic… You need to think it over and decide… 1. Purpose: Why am I writing this? This is a persuasive essay so you are getting someone else to think like you do. 2. Audience: You are writing to your English/farmer teacher so you need to use proper mechanics. 3. Structure: What structure should my essay have? (4 paragraph format)

10. Please do not slaughter me! Give two great reasons why one should not eat turkey on Thanksgiving examples:fattening Turkeys are injected with growth hormones Tryptophan

11. Evidence Using resources around you determine factual reasons Using resources around you determine factual reasons Examples: Examples: High in fat High in fat Growth hormones Growth hormones Tryptophan Tryptophan

12. Some DOS Do Divide into 4 paragraphs Divide into 4 paragraphs Have a thesis in your intro Have a thesis in your intro Come up with two main points to support your argument Come up with two main points to support your argument Have a conclusion that contains a clincher sentence Have a conclusion that contains a clincher sentence Come up with a catchy title Come up with a catchy title

13. And DON’Ts Don’t Begin with “hello my name is__ and I am going to write about _____.” Begin with “hello my name is__ and I am going to write about _____.” Take out the word I Take out the word I Be wishy washy. Pick a side Be wishy washy. Pick a side Forget to support your opinions with facts and examples Forget to support your opinions with facts and examples Include dialogue Include dialogue

14. The wrap up As a general guideline, when writing a persuasive essay… As a general guideline, when writing a persuasive essay… Have a firm opinion that you want your reader to accept. Have a firm opinion that you want your reader to accept. Begin with a grabber or hook to get the reader’s attention. Begin with a grabber or hook to get the reader’s attention. Offer evidence to support your opinion. Offer evidence to support your opinion. Try and think of rebuttal statements Try and think of rebuttal statements Conclude with a restatement of what you want the reader to do or believe. Conclude with a restatement of what you want the reader to do or believe.

15. NOW Make an outline of what you are about to write. Intro with thesis statement Intro with thesis statement Body I Body I Topic sentence Topic sentence Evidence Evidence Closer that clenches your idea Closer that clenches your idea Body II Body II Topic sentence Topic sentence Evidence Evidence Closer that clenches your idea Closer that clenches your idea Conclusion Conclusion Bring it home Bring it home